COMBINED EXPRESSION OF UROKINASE-TYPE PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR AND PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN AT THE DEEPEST INVASIVE PORTION CORRELATES WITH COLORECTAL-CANCER PROGNOSIS

To examine the relationship among the expression of urokinase-type pla sminogen activator (u-PA), invasive/metastatic potential and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC), 58 patients with surgically resected adva nced CRC were studied. u-PA expression and proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index (PCNA-LI) at the deepest invasive portion were examined immunohistochemically. u-PA expression was detected in 37 (63 .8%) of 58 lesions. Lesions with liver metastasis showed a significant ly (p < 0.01) higher incidence of u-PA expression than those without l iver metastasis. Dukes staging also revealed a significant correlation with u-PA expression. The combination of u-PA expression and elevated PCNA-LI at the deepest invasive portion correlated significantly with prognosis. These results indicate that u-PA expression is an importan t predictor of CRC development and liver metastasis. Furthermore, comb ined analysis of u-PA expression and PCNA-LI at the deepest invasive p ortion is very useful in predicting CRC prognosis.